Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.21(1) > 1076041

Shim, Oh, and Kwon: Digital Pulse Oximetry for the Screeing of Lower Extremity Arterial Disease

Abstract

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate the usefulness of a handheld digital pulse oximetry in the detection of lower extremity arterial disease.

Summary of Literature Review

Pulse oximetry is a well-established method for noninvasive evaluation of arterial oxygenation.

Materials and Methods

A Retrospective study was performed in 45 patients with lower extremity arterial disease. We compared the accuracy of a handheld digital pulse oximetry and the ankle brachial index (ABI). Digital pulse oximetry was conducted for 42 patients with 84 limbs to measure the SaO2 of their index fingers and big toes in supine position. The ABI was defined as abnormal if it was less than 0.9. Pulse oximetry of big toes was defined as abnormal if the SPO2 was less than 96% or it was more than 2% lower than that of the index finger.

Results

Digital pulse oximetry had a sensitivity of 47%(95% CI, 34-60%) and specificity of 86%(95% CI, 64-96%). ABI had a sensitivity of 49%(95% CI, 34-64%) and specificity of 95%(95% CI, 72-99%). Positive predictive values were 91%(95% CI, 74-98%) for digital pulse oximetry and 96%(95% CI, 77-99%) for ABI. Negative predictive values were 37%(95% CI, 24-51%) for digitial pulse oximetry and 43%(95% CI, 25-72%) for ABI. In 22 cases with acute ischemicwere the sensitivity 73%, the specifity 100%, the positive predictive value 100% and the negative predictive value 79%.

Conclusions

Handheld digital pulse oximetry of the big toes seems as accurate as ABI to detect lower extremity arterial diseases. The combination of both will help to distinguish low extremity arterial disease and spinal radiculopathy.

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Figures and Tables%

Fig 1.
Handheld digital pulse oximetry.
jkss-21-36f1.tif
Fig 2.
Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the pulse oximetry test and the ankle brachilaindex(ABI). (A) ROC curve for pulse oximetry test, Area under the curve was 0.321 (95% confidence interval:0.205-0.438,p<0.014). (B) ROC curve for ABI, Area under the curve was 0.375 (95% confidence interval:0.246-0.505,p<0.114).
jkss-21-36f2.tif
Table 1.
Demography of patients.
Number of Patients(limbs) 45 (90 limbs)
Average Age (yr) 66.9(40-92)
DM,n (%) 31(69%)
Hypertension,n(%) 32(71%)
Known heart disease,n(%) 11(24%)
Treatment option Surgery 28(62%)
Conservative 17(38%)
Table 2.
Results for Pulse oximetry test, Ankle brachial index.
Test Results Arterial disease Present No.(%) Arterial disease Absent No.(%) Sensitivity (95% CI), % Specificity (95% CI), % Positive Predictive Value(95% CI), % Negative Predictive Value(95% CI), %
Pulse oximetry test 47(34-60) 86(64-96) 91(74-98) 37(24-51)
 Positive 29(35) 3(4)
 Negative 33(39) 19(23)
ABI 49(34-64) 95(72-99) 96(77-990 43(28-72)
 <0.9 23(35) 1(2)
 ≥0.9 24(36) 18(27)

CI; confidence interval ABI; ankle brachial index

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